A cross-border initiative for early detection, access to care, awareness and support.
The SCD KETAN Project is a cross-border initiative being implemented in Kenya and Tanzania to strengthen early detection, access to care, community awareness, and support for people affected by sickle cell disease (SCD).
In Tanzania, the Tanzania Sicklecell Warriors Organization (TASIWA) is one of the stakeholders contributing to the implementation of the project. TASIWA is implementing project interventions in Geita Region, focusing on three districts.
11,000 reached so far — 55% of target.
TASIWA supports early screening for sickle cell disease among newborns and infants, targeting 20,000 children. This initiative aims to ensure early identification of children living with SCD, enabling timely linkage to essential healthcare services, appropriate treatment, and continued care to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Target: 20,000 childrenTASIWA facilitates the linkage of children identified with sickle cell disease (SCD) to health facilities for confirmatory diagnosis, preventive care, and regular medical follow-up, ensuring timely access to appropriate treatment and continuous healthcare support.
TASIWA raises community awareness of sickle cell disease, emphasizing the importance of early screening, knowing one’s genotype, and understanding genetic inheritance to promote informed health decisions, prevent misconceptions, and encourage timely access to appropriate healthcare services.
TASIWA strengthens support for parents, caregivers, and people living with sickle cell disease (SCD) by promoting health education, psychosocial support, and community engagement to ensure continuity of care at home and within the community, ultimately improving the well-being and quality of life of children living with SCD.
A total of 56 Community Health Workers (CHWs) were trained under the SCD KETAN Project to strengthen community-level awareness, early identification, and support for people living with sickle cell disease in Geita Region.
A total of 117 healthcare professionals have been trained to strengthen their capacity to provide quality care and support to people living with sickle cell disease.
A total of 56,105 people were reached with sickle cell disease education and awareness through radio programmes, religious platforms, school-based activities, and community outreach meetings under the SCD KETAN Project in Geita Region.
A total of 314 children were identified with HbSS (sickle cell disease) through screening efforts under the SCD KETAN Project in Geita Region, supporting early diagnosis and timely access to appropriate healthcare services.
A total of 1,420 children were identified with HbAS (sickle cell trait) through screening efforts under the SCD KETAN Project in Geita Region, highlighting the importance of early screening, genotype awareness, and genetic counselling.
By finding children with sickle cell disease early and linking them to care, the project aims to prevent avoidable complications and deaths, and to build lasting awareness and support in communities across Geita Region.
SCD KETAN Project — a cross-border initiative for early detection, access to care, awareness and support.
UpdateThe meeting highlighted key achievements in early screening and diagnosis, healthcare capacity building, community awareness, and access to healthcare services for children living with sickle cell disease in Geita Region, while strengthening cross-border collaboration to improve the quality of SCD care.
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UpdateThe training covered early infant diagnosis, emergency and routine care, appropriate use of Hydroxyurea, and comprehensive management of children living with SCD.
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UpdateThe training strengthened the capacity of 25 Community Health Workers to educate communities about Sickle Cell Disease, support early identification, and facilitate timely referrals to health facilities. It also enhanced community-level efforts to reduce misconceptions and promote access to appropriate care for children and families affected by Sickle Cell Disease.
Read moreImproving access to healthcare, strengthening the economic capacity of parents and caregivers, and enhancing the quality of life of children living with sickle cell disease in Ilemela and Nyamagana districts, Mwanza.
A 2021 project funded by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) that used exercise books (Daftari) as a tool to carry sickle cell messages and amplify the voice of sickle cell in the community, especially in schools.
This project aimed to improve the survival and well-being of children living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) by increasing community awareness and understanding of proper care and disease management. It focused on educating community members, parents, and caregivers on effective care practices, early recognition of complications, and the importance of timely access to healthcare services. Through community education and awareness, the project sought to reduce misconceptions, promote informed care, and improve the quality of life for children living with SCD and their families.
